Hundreds of Indonesian women, wielding brooms as symbols of sweeping away state corruption and repression, joined ongoing protests in Jakarta against police brutality and government excesses, while President Prabowo Subianto proceeded with a trip to China for a military parade amid the unrest.
The protests, now in their second week, were ignited by the death of motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was run over by a police vehicle last week. This incident amplified existing frustrations over rising costs of living and lavish perks for members of parliament, leading to demonstrations that have spread from Jakarta to other major cities and sometimes turned violent with reports of looting and rioting.
On Wednesday, a significant contingent of women dressed in pink and carrying broomsticks marched to the parliament building, organized by the Indonesian Women’s Alliance (IWA), a coalition of 90 women’s groups and civil society organizations. They chanted slogans like ‘reform the police’ and emphasized that protests are a democratic right, with the brooms symbolizing a desire to ‘sweep away the dirt of the state, militarism, and police repression.’
The unrest has resulted in at least 10 fatalities and over 1,000 hospitalizations, according to the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, with rights groups alleging some deaths were due to police violence. In response, the United Nations human rights office and Amnesty International have called for prompt, thorough investigations into human rights violations and urged the government to address protesters’ demands to prevent further casualties.
President Prabowo Subianto, facing his first major test since taking office, initially announced the cancellation of his trip to Beijing to attend China’s military parade due to the protests but later reversed the decision and was seen in China with leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. His office cited signs of stabilization in Indonesia as a reason for the trip, despite ongoing demonstrations.
In an attempt to quell the unrest, Prabowo announced on Sunday that he would roll back some state-funded perks for lawmakers, including allowances. While this move was partially welcomed, protesters and analysts argue it does not address deeper issues of inequality, governance, and accountability, calling for more substantial reforms in areas such as agricultural policy, education, and economic opportunities.
The women’s movement in Indonesia has a historical role in resistance, notably during the 1998 reform movement against authoritarian rule. The choice of pink symbolizes bravery, and other protesters have adopted green in solidarity with the killed taxi driver, with online support showing through social media filters in ‘hero green’ and ‘brave pink.’
The National Human Rights Commission is investigating the handling of the protests by security forces, with Commissioner Anis Hidayah expressing concern over violence and limited dialogue space. The situation remains tense, with continued demonstrations highlighting the need for a more accountable and transparent government that prioritizes citizen welfare.
